Jacob Tamme (84) of the Denver Broncos is tackled by Jamar Taylor (22) of the Miami Dolphins on third down in the first quarter. The Denver Broncos played the Miami Dolphins at Mile High in Denver on Nov. 23, 2014.

Cornerback Jamar Taylor needed to simply step through the front door to understand the expectations.

Taylor, a former second-round NFL draft pick, had bounced from two teams with zero Super Bowl titles (Browns and Cardinals) and another that hadn’t earned one since the 1970s (Dolphins). Wednesday, though, Taylor became a Bronco, and he walked into the UCHealth Training Center lobby where three Lombardi Trophies sit prominently encased behind glass.

“It’s a great franchise that has a great history,” Taylor said. “It’s just a different energy.”

Maintaining that championship-or-bust mentality is exactly why Taylor received the opportunity in Denver. Losing three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris (leg fracture) for at least three more weeks shuffles the defensive backfield pecking order ahead of Denver’s road test Sunday at the 49ers with an AFC Wild-card slot still attainable. Cornerback Bradley Roby overcame a disastrous early season start with improved late-season play, but veteran Tramaine Brock, the third cornerback, has now missed several practices with a rib injury, thrusting rookie Isaac Yiadom and recently promoted practice squad corner Brendan Langley into greater roles.

Taylor’s addition signaled the Broncos’ immediate need for cornerback depth, and despite short preparation, he will be dressed in orange and blue Sunday.

“Jamar is going to be our fourth corner this week, so he’s going to play,” said coach Vance Joseph, who also coached Taylor as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator for a couple months during 2016 minicamp. “He’s familiar with our system. He’s a very, very smart guy. He’s a tough guy and he can really run.”

Taylor tallied seven interceptions over four seasons at Boise State before the Dolphins selected him No. 54 overall in the 2013 NFL draft. Taylor started nine games over three years in Miami with zero picks. He posted career-best numbers in 2016, his first season with the Browns, with three interceptions, 13 pass deflections and 57 tackles. But the Browns traded Taylor to Arizona in May and the Cardinals waived him in late November.

Taylor spent two weeks without a team — “In my mind, it felt like forever,” he said — before finally getting the call from Denver. Taylor practiced with open eyes and ears Thursday to soak in a sort-of familiar defensive playbook from his short time under Joseph in Miami.

“I’m going to study for as long as I have to and make sure I get it,” Taylor said. “I’ll stay up until my eyes are bloodshot red.”

The hard work is only beginning.

“I’m definitely not taking it for granted,” Taylor said. “I know what it’s like to be at home and that’s not a good feeling, especially when you’ve made plays in this league and you’re wondering, ‘Why?’ I definitely have a lot to prove and put that chip on my shoulder.”